Today the Rapids announced the addition of Enzo Martinez, a midfielder from their USL affiliate Charlotte Independence, story here. It is a one year deal with a second year option. Welcome to the club Enzo!

One thing can be said this off season of the Rapids. There is no “off” in this off season that’s certain for what the front office is trying to accomplish. It seems almost daily that the Rapids have interest in someone within the soccer world.

Friday it was reported that the Rapids were now showing interest in Sheffield United forward Billy Sharp, here via ESPN.

Also announced over the weekend that Rapids defender Mike da Fonte will go on loan to USL club Phoenix Rising FC.

Oklahoma Energy FC have announced this morning that Rapids coach Steve Cooke has been named the new manager and technical director of the USL club, story here.

Cooke who was named the Rapids interim manager after the firing of Pablo Mastroeni last season, led the Rapids to a 3-7-2 record. Energy FC finished 6th in the USL western conference (14-11-7), making the playoffs and eventually losing to Swope Park Rangers in the conference finals. Cooke replaces former Energy FC manager Jimmy Nielsen.

Rapids this afternoon announced the addition of forward, Jack McBean from the LA Galaxy, story here. Not exactly a reason for excitement, but we wont be too quick to judge just yet.

McBean spent the 2017 season making 18 appearances, scoring 2 goals and an assist the Galaxy first team and 7 appearances scoring one goal for Galaxy II in USL. McBean was named to the USL All League First Team in 2016 with 17 appearances (15 starts), 15 goals and 2 assists.

The Rapids have just made it official that they are continuing their USL affiliation with the Charlotte Independence, story here.

This was in a way kind of expected when you consider the already busier than normal off-season the Rapids were expected to have. Retooling the roster, hiring a new manager, etc, etc. Extending their affiliation with the Independence was the easiest thing to do. Now they can get on to the more important stuff, like finalizing a roster, preparing for CONCACAF Champion’s League play, preseason in Arizona and so on.

Weekend on tap…..

What’s of interest in the soccer world for the weekend? My interests will be watching MLS Cup and hoping for a Toronto FC victory, I have my reasons. Watching the Manchester derby on Sunday. Come on City! Can Valencia bounce back from last week’s loss at Getafe to beat Celta Vigo and keep pace with Barcelona? While not letting both Madrids catch them? Three versus four in the Bundesliga, as Schalke and Monchengladbach go at it. And I’ll watch a little Serie A action with Juventus versus Inter.

Kosuke Kimura, Defender, was drafted by the Rapids in the 2007 Supplemental Draft, becoming the MLS’ first Japanese born player.

Kimura made 117 appearances with the Rapids between 2007-2012, scoring 4 goals. Kimura was later traded to the Portland Timbers in July 2012.

As of today (12/7) it was announced that Kimura has signed to play this upcoming season with expansion side Nashville SC of the USL along side former Rapids keeper Matt Pickens, under former Rapids manager Gary Smith. #gettingthebandbacktogether

Looks as though the Rapids will spend another preseason in the Grand Canyon state of Arizona. In what is used to be known as the Desert Diamond Cup in Tucson featuring FC Tucson along with numerous other MLS teams, is now the Sun Cup to be held in both Phoenix and Tucson sponsored by Mobile Mini Solutions. Ten other MLS teams will also be participating in this 3 week preseason event as well. Tournament dates are Feb 3rd-24th. Full Story here.

FC Tucson were acquired by Phoenix Rising FC just recently, back in October 2017.

The second Rapids player to go on loan within a week as Berner makes his way to Phoenix to join the USL’s Rising F.C. Last week it was Caleb Calvert loaned out to the Rapids USL affiliate Charlotte Independence.